Laboratory Medicine Workforce Shortage: Informed Public and Skilled High School Students can Fill the Gap

Abstract

We have known for years that laboratory medicine would not have enough employees at all levels to effectively support the growing needs of medical doctors. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics prediction “MLS/MLT will increase by 11% by 2030” and we will need “almost 26,000 openings each year through 2030.” Our colleges and universities only produce “5,000 graduates per year.”

This commentary article will provide specific context for the current workforce situation in laboratory medicine in the United States and then discuss solutions at progressive levels of commitment. Level one can be quickly implemented by laboratories in their local area by reaching out to their local high school or middle schools. Level two will create advocates in the community with highly effective career exploration tools. Level three will require a change in paradigm about entry level staff in a medical laboratory along with significant infrastructure building through development of high school medical laboratory assisting and/or phlebotomy training programs. These programs will have the greatest effect on the employment outlook as they will produce highly skilled and engaged graduates who are ready for medical laboratory entry level employment and medical laboratory college programs.

To fill the employment gap in laboratory medicine we must stop accepting that they are the “hidden profession” and move to actively engaging with every young person in the country before they go off to college. The industry from the phlebotomists and laboratorians to the C-suites of medical laboratories must be part of the solution.